Used Trucks and Trailers as a Cost-Control Strategy
Most fleets take a blended approach that includes both owned and leased assets. The 2025 National Private Truck Council (NPTC) Benchmarking Report shows that 45% of private fleets own 90% or more of their heavy-duty power equipment, 28% lease most of their equipment, and 27% use a mix of leasing and ownership.
When used as part of an overall equipment acquisition strategy, used equipment can help fleets manage capacity needs while managing long-term operating costs.
Lower Acquisition Costs
New technology, inflation and tariffs are driving the prices of new trucks and trailers higher. As prices continue to rise, used trucks offer a cost-effective alternative. Lower upfront costs help free up capital, reduce financial exposure and often lead to a faster return on investment.
Financial Benefits
Purchasing equipment outright offers several financial advantages, including tax benefits through depreciation and deductions. Owned equipment can also help fleets build equity and take advantage of the residual value when sold or traded.
Fleet Flexibility
With ownership, fleets retain control over acquisition costs, depreciation, operation, maintenance and disposal. Equipment can be run without mileage restrictions and used as needed, including subleased to other companies.
Varied Equipment Ages
Used equipment can help fleets create a strategic mix of older, mid-life and new equipment. Maintaining a mix of equipment ages can help smooth operating costs over time by staggering maintenance requirements and replacement needs.
Faster Access to Equipment
Purchasing a new truck or trailer can require several months of lead time, even in a normal market. The timeframe can grow if there are supply chain disruptions or sudden demand spikes. Used trucks and trailers are often available immediately, enabling fleets to respond quickly to new capacity demands or replacement needs.
Right Sizing
Incorporating different vehicle sizes and configurations can improve utilization, which reduces operating costs. The used equipment market provides access to light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks and multiple trailer sizes, giving fleets more flexibility to adjust their fleet mix.
Used Equipment as an Acquisition Strategy
Used trucks, when combined with leasing, rentals and other solutions, let fleets balance meet their immediate and long-term equipment needs while maintaining control over costs and their assets.
Buy With Penske
Penske offers a large inventory of late-model used trucks and trailers, available for purchase online or in person at a Used Truck Center. Great deals on a variety of used equipment are also available. Most equipment has been owned and maintained by Penske, benefiting from comprehensive maintenance plans and detailed condition reports. Penske works with fleets to evaluate historical, current and projected routes and volumes to determine the optimal fleet size and asset mix and offers transparent pricing and flexible bidding through an online auction platform.
To learn more about Penske’s used trucks, call 1-866-309-1962.
